Oaxaca: Women & Girls’ Empowerment

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Grassroots Expedition

6 Days / 5 Nights

Adult $3,195 / Child $2,995

Explore Oaxaca's emerging culinary scene, engage in a weaving workshop & alebrijie painting experience & meet the Zapotec women inspiring change in small rural communities.

The Experience

Oaxaca is the heart of Mexican Zapotec culture and home to some of the most beautiful colonial plazas and majestic churches in Latin America. We’ll get lost in the winding colonial streets of Oaxaca City, visit the UNESCO-protected ancient ruins of Monte Albán and discover the bizarre rock formations of Hierve el Agua. Spend two days with our inspiring nonprofit partners, Fundación En Vía, to engage with the rural communities where they work. Visit women-led businesses and lend a hand in a dyeing and weaving workshop, and chocolate-making class.

Move on to another village, San Martín Tilcajete, for a workshop in making alebrijie, or brightly colored imaginary creatures that play an important role in Mexican folklore (and are the inspiration for Pixar’s film Coco!). Back in Oaxaca city, also a UNESCO-protected area, uncover the up and coming cuisine that Oaxaca is known for, visit bustling local markets to shop for crafts and relax in the comfort of our colorful boutique hotel in the heart of the old city.

An Impactful Experience in Mexico’s Cultural Heart

We’ll embed ourselves in our nonprofit partner’s, En Via’s, impactful empowerment initiatives in the community of Teotitlan del Valle while discovering the beauty of Oaxaca on this journey of purpose and empowerment.

Our Impact

Gain insight into the culture of Mexico’s indigenous Zapotec people as you engage with a leading non-profit organization, En Via, to empower and uplift historically disadvantaged women in the Oaxaca Valley. We’ll be invited into the homes and workplaces of these local Zapotec women, learning traditional cooking and craft techniques passed down through the generations. See firsthand how they are supported through microfinance loans and get a glimpse into how these work in small rural communities like Teotitlán de Valle. Visit their small, family-run businesses and lend a hand in a dyeing and weaving workshop and chocolate-making class.

Where You’ll Stay

During our time in Oaxaca City, we’ll stay in one of the colorful boutique hotels we partner with. Our main hotel, Hotel con Corazón, a modern, is a cozy hotel where profits go into local schools to help lift up the local community. This boutique hotel & social enterprise is one with heart, recognizing that Oaxaca is one of the poorest states in Mexico, and children need more resources to ensure they finish school. This brand new building located in the heart of the old city of Oaxaca includes private bathrooms, WiFi, fans, and garden views from all rooms.

Itinerary Overview

Explore Oaxaca City before heading out to the nearby villages of the Teotitlán Valley to meet the women and children supporting their communities. Each day is a hands-on lesson in the lives of these women including a dyeing and weaving experience, cooking lesson and microfinance workshop.

Return to Oaxaca City and explore Hierve el Agua’s unique rock formations and learn to make local pottery and chocolate with the women of San Marcos Tlapazola. Uncover ancient, UNESCO-protected ruins in Monte Alban, then learn to make fantastic animals painted with bright colors and designs.

Rodolfo Juarez

Rodolfo was born in Tlacochahuaya, a small farming village in the Valley of Oaxaca. He is the director of a small family-run project devoted to promoting the importance of vast Mexican culture and insider stories about the history of Mexico. Rodolfo attended High School and learned English in Southern California before returning to his homeland to share his passion for history, art, food, and his love of Oaxaca and Mexico. His work has allowed him to meet people from all over the world and collaborate as a cultural advisor for the making of Coco (Disney/Pixar 2017) an Oscar-winning movie, a truly unforgettable event. When he’s not leading Discover Corps trips, he has a small farm where he and his wife produce eggs, alfalfa, corn, beans, and vegetables- all organic! Rodolfo looks forward to welcoming you on this Discover Corps trip to Oaxaca and making it a memorable experience!

Traveler’s Journal

I wanted to show my daughter a different part of the world, and to be able to connect with other women and girls only made the idea that much more comfortable for me. Our group was full of similar mothers and daughters (and one awesome father!). The women in the community gave us such a precious gift as they allowed us into their homes and spoke with us about their everyday lives. My daughter left wanting to make a difference for the women of the world, and I couldn’t be prouder!
girls' empowerment vacation

Kathryn T.

Sedona, AZ

Read More Discover Corps Reviews

Rating: 5/5 stars

Dates and Prices

Our trips are inclusive of all activities, lodging, transport and most meals to make your experience hassle-free.

$3,195 Adult

$2,995 Child

  • Double Occupancy Price. Children’s pricing applies to travelers 16 years old and younger sharing a room with an adult *
  • Single Room Supplement = $495

What’s Included:

  • 5 nights lodging in 3-star boutique hotels in the old city of Oaxaca
  • All meals throughout the trip except for one lunch and one dinner
  • Overview of En Via’s microfinance programming
  • English-speaking local guides that are there to support, guide, and inform you throughout the trip
  • All gratuities for hotels and meals
  • All airport transfers & land transportation
  • Admissions and entrance fees to national parks, historic sites and other scheduled events throughout the trip
  • $50,000 emergency medical evacuation insurance
  • 24-hour Discover Corps emergency hotline & turnkey support

What’s Not Included:

  • International airfare
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • One lunch and one dinner
  • Tips for Discover Corps guide and driver

Dates

Our intimate, small-group departures consist of like-minded travelers. Don’t see a date that works? Want to make it private? Schedule a personal travel consultation and we’ll make it happen.

WO = Women Only Dates.

2024 Dates

March 26-31, 2024

April 2-7, 2024 WO

June 11-16, 2024

July 2-7, 2024

July 30-August 4, 2024

August 27-September 1, 2024

September 17-22, 2024

October 1-6, 2024

October 15-20, 2024 WO

November 19-24, 2024

November 26-December 1, 2024

December 10-15, 2024

December 17-22, 2024

December 26-31, 2024

2025 Dates

January 7-12, 2025

January 21-26, 2025

February 11-16, 2025

February 25-March 2, 2025

March 18-23, 2025

March 25-30, 2025

April 1-6, 2025

April 8-13, 2025

May 20-25, 2025

May 27-June 1, 2025

June 10-15, 2025

June 24-29, 2025

July 1-6, 2025

July 8-13, 2025

July 22-27, 2025

August 5-10, 2025

August 26-31, 2025

September 2-7, 2025

September 16-21, 2025

October 14-19, 2025

October 21-26, 2025

November 11-16, 2025

November 25-30, 2025

December 16-21, 2025

December 23-28, 2025

December 30-Jan 4, 2026

Want to learn more?

Alumni & Family Discounts, Monthly Payment Plans, and More

Repeat travelers and groups are eligible for discounts. Looking for a payment plan to help manage your trip? Learn more here.

Customized Private Trips

Let us create a custom trip for your group. Learn more about custom group travel.